The 2017 Islander Lights celebration was held on Dec. 1. Beginning in the University Center, guests were able to enjoy snacks, make crafts, donate to those in need and many other activities as a part of its Holiday Bash. The event was open to the public and had a number of family friendly ways to get in the holiday spirit. Guests could also take photos with Santa, enjoy a petting zoo and receive festive treats and refreshments. The twelfth annual rendition of the university tradition lit up the Island University with blue and green lights: from the university entrance to its buildings.

Toy donations were available for the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots drive. Attendees could also donate money and decorate snowflakes that would be put on display on campus. Attendees took a stroll to the Lee Plaza to watch the lighting ceremony where a garden of lights was set up for the Islander community to enjoy including a large blue and green tree of lights. After the ceremony, guests were invited back to the University Center for a showing of Disney’s “The Nightmare before Christmas” put on by the Campus Activities Board (CAB).

The lights will be lit every night during the holiday season to help keep the Island University in the holiday spirit as the semester comes to a close. The evening’s festivities were put on by the Division of Student Engagement and Success, university staff council, United States Marine Corps and CAB.

For more information on the lights or ways to get involved, visit ucsa.tamucc.edu/IslanderLights/Index.html.